Effect of aspirin on healthspan in community-dwelling older adults: the ASPirin in reducing events in the elderly study
In brief
Low-dose aspirin did not reduce healthspan loss in older adults
In 19,114 community-dwelling participants aged 70 years or older followed for a median of 4.7 years, 30.5% experienced loss of healthspan and event rates were virtually identical (about 82 per 1,000 person-years) with aspirin versus placebo (hazard ratio 0.98). The trial shows aspirin offers no benefit for preventing cardiovascular disease, dementia, cancer or death, directing attention to lifestyle interventions.
- Journal
- Age and ageing (Q1)
- Published
- 2 July 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Haoxin Tina Zheng, Aung Zaw Zaw Phyo, Zimu Wu, Suzanne G Orchard, Alice Owen, Sara E Espinoza, et al.
- PMID
- 42497096
- DOI
- 10.1093/ageing/afag218
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Geriatrics and Gerontology (paper of the day, 25 July 2026).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Inflammation is a shared pathogenic pathway underlying multiple chronic conditions and contributes to a loss of healthspan. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low-dose aspirin on the loss of healthspan in older individuals. METHODS: ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial assessing the effect of daily low-dose aspirin for primary prevention. Community-dwelling participants aged ≥70 years [or ≥ 65 years for United States (US) minority ethnic groups] were recruited from Australia and the US. Eligible participants were initially free of major diseases with a life expectancy of more than five years and were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg of aspirin daily or a placebo. Loss of healthspan was defined as the first occurrence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, cancer, or death. RESULTS: A total of 19 114 participants were followed for a median of 4.7 years, 5835 participants (30.5%) experienced a loss of healthspan. Participants who were older, male, smokers, or had hypertension, or frailty were more likely to experience healthspan loss during the trial. The rate of healthspan loss was 82.1 and 82.7 events per 1000 person-years in the aspirin and placebo groups, respectively. There was no evidence of a substantial difference in the risk of healthspan loss between the aspirin and placebo groups (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI: 0.92-1.05). CONCLUSION: Low-dose aspirin had no effect on the rate of loss of healthspan among older community-dwelling adults. Future studies should explore lifestyle and behavioural interventions to extend healthspan.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.